LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Mark Prior pitched 4 1-3 innings Tuesday night for the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts, allowing one run and two hits against the West Michigan Whitecaps in the Midwest League game.

The Chicago Cubs right-hander, making the second appearance of his rehabilitation assignment, has been sidelined all season because of an inflamed Achilles’ tendon and a sore right elbow. He didn’t allow a hit in three scoreless innings for Lansing last Thursday.

“I just didn’t have the adrenaline going as much as I usually do,” he said.

Prior, 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA last year, struck out eight and walked none, throwing 48 of 62 pitches for strikes.

“I feel like I’m getting closer,” he said. “I feel like I’m getting back to where it needs to be to get back and compete at that (major league) level. I felt like my breaking ball was better than the last start.”

Cubs director of player development Oneri Fleita said Prior’s fastball ranged from 89-93 mph.

Prior could pitch for Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

“Looks like he’s right on target to me,” Fleita said. “Looked free and easy again tonight.”

Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster was scheduled to start Wednesday for Lansing against West Michigan.

Dempster is recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

AP-ES-05-25-04 2155EDT